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An itchy, painful, blistering rash that reemerges from the same virus that causes chickenpox.
What is it?
Herpes zoster, commonly referred to as shingles, is a viral infection that presents as a painful skin eruption with blisters. The blisters typically form in a banded shape on one side of the body. The condition is triggered by the varicella-zoster virus, the same pathogen responsible for chickenpox. If you have had chickenpox, the virus can remain latent in nerve tissues for many years, even decades, and reactivate later in life, resulting in Herpes Zoster. Typical symptoms of shingles include a painful rash, itchiness, and a burning sensation before the rash's appearance. These symptoms may be accompanied by fever, headache and exhaustion.
While shingles symptoms eventually resolve on their own, early diagnosis and treatment can minimize the severity and duration of symptoms. Left unchecked, some patients find that shingles pain becomes incredibly difficult to handle. Early treatment also reduces the risk of long term complications like postherpetic neuralgia, a condition that can induce severe pain long after the rash has subsided.
How is it treated?
After proper diagnosis, our team will develop a treatment plan tailored to the severity, duration and location of your shingles. Treatment options may also be refined based on your age, other health conditions and the overall health of your immune system.
Typical treatments to alleviate immediate symptoms include corticosteroids to lessen inflammation and other medications to help control pain. To manage the severity and duration of symptoms, our board-certified providers may prescribe an antiviral medication. Antiviral medications can also help reduce the risk of complications after more severe cases of shingles.
Shingles can be incredibly painful and have long-lasting effects. Our experienced dermatology team is here to help at our convenient offices in Farmington Hills, Shelby Township, Clinton Township, Warren and St. Claire Shores, Michigan,